Winter Carnival: Contest's crossword puzzles created by locals

The Second Annual Minnesota Crossword Puzzle Tournament held Saturday, Feb. 2, in St. Paul will have a definite Minnesota flavor.

The event, sponsored by the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library and the James J. Hill Reference Library, will feature seven original puzzles created exclusively for the event by local puzzle constructors who all have had New York Times puzzle bylines.

Participants can compete as expert or amateur individuals or as a team of up to four players, with scoring based on accuracy and speed.

The championship rounds will turn crossword puzzle-solving into a spectator sport as finalists solve jumbo-size puzzles in front of the crowd. Plus, you can get a free Summit beer with your library card.

The event will start at 10:30 a.m. at the James J. Hill Reference Library, 90 Fourth St., on Rice Park in downtown St. Paul. Doors open at 10 a.m. Cost is $15 per individual, $35 per two-to-four-member team, $5 for spectators or free for Friends members or those with a Winter Carnival button.

For more information and to register as a competitor or a spectator, go to thefriends.org.